​nd, another fine week it has been. What great weather to enjoy the outdoors. I had a wonderful day off starting with a “hacking out,” think trail ride on my mighty steed Z. He and Picasso have had their fall “maintenance” i.e. shots and dentist visits. My sister rides Picasso a couple of times a week so he’s getting her attention along with mine. He’s still the “main man.” The pups are great too. Nikibelle will be 13 on Tuesday and bounds around like a 2 year old. She and Pico keep each other in shape with playful and energetic wrestling. They’ll get special treats and doggie birthday cookies to celebrate!

The veggie garden is just about done. I think I’ve gotten the last tomatoes and cucumbers. My freezer is full of seal-a-meal bags of tomato sauce that I’ve “put-up.” A couple of years ago I came up with the idea to put tomatoes, onion, garlic and basil into the crock pot and let them simmer together until soft and broken down. Then, I’ll blend everything together and seal into 2 quart bags for use in sauces, tomato soup and chili. Last night was red clam sauce over linguine – fresh and delicious.

Monday is Columbus Day, the anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas on 10-12-1492. An Italian explorer from the Republic of Genoa he was the first European to make the voyage across “the ocean blue.” Franklin Roosevelt declared it a federal holiday in 1937 and it was fixed to the second Monday in October in 1970. Ironically the day coincides with Canada’s Thanksgiving and the Anniversary of the U.S. Navy on 10-13-1775. Although it is a very patriotic holiday framed around national loyalty and social progress it is controversial because the settlement of Europeans led to the demise of large portions of native people. Unlike the banks and post office we’ll be open with arms wide-open to greet you all day!